Major Snowfall Crisis Unfolds Near Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh
Heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district has triggered a large-scale rescue and snow clearance operation near the Atal Tunnel in Manali, leaving more than a thousand vehicles stranded and prompting urgent intervention by authorities.
Rescue Efforts Initiated Amid Deteriorating Conditions
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been carrying out continuous snow clearance work at the South Portal of the Atal Tunnel since Monday afternoon, following intense snowfall in the region. Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Anurag Chand Sharma, confirmed that the operation was initiated as soon as weather conditions began deteriorating.
The sudden spell of snow caught hundreds of tourists off guard, particularly those who had travelled from Manali to nearby areas such as Sissu and the Atal Tunnel to experience fresh snowfall over the weekend. As conditions worsened, roads became dangerously slippery, making return journeys nearly impossible.
Massive Vehicle Stranding and Overnight Ordeal
By Sunday evening, more than 1,000 vehicles were stuck in and around the Atal Tunnel, leading to severe traffic congestion both inside and outside the tunnel. Many travellers were forced to spend the night inside their vehicles, with some remaining stranded for nearly 20 hours in freezing conditions.
"We managed to safely guide around 700 of the over 1,000 stranded vehicles from Atal Tunnel to Manali Sunday night. The remaining 300 vehicles were brought back to Manali by Monday afternoon. We had a team of 40 personnel, but heavy snowfall kept hampering the operation," said Manali DSP K D Sharma, who took part in the operation.
Persistent Challenges and Highway Closure
However, challenges persisted throughout the rescue mission. Around 100 vehicles were still reported stranded near Dhundi as rescue teams continued operations in difficult weather conditions. The Manali–Atal Tunnel highway was subsequently closed at Nehru Kund as a precautionary measure to prevent further movement into affected zones.
Significant snowfall has been recorded in this area, with more than two feet of snow accumulating in and around the Atal Tunnel and other high-altitude areas. Some popular tourist spots have been particularly affected:
- Solang Valley
- Gulaba and Kothi
- Jalori Pass
- Areas in and around Lahaul-Spiti including Keylong, Sissu, and Koksar
Widespread Weather Impact Across Himachal Pradesh
The impact of the weather was also felt in other areas of Kullu and beyond. Many of the high mountainous passes received heavy snowfall, including:
- Rohtang Pass
- Baralacha La
- Kunzum Pass
- Shinku La
The mid and lower hill regions received moderate to heavy rainfall, while other areas such as Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, and Chamba experienced thunderstorms, lightning, and even hailstorms in certain locations.
Specific Snowfall Measurements and Meteorological Warnings
In Shimla district, specific snowfall measurements were recorded:
- Khadrala: 10.2 cm of snowfall
- Kalpa: 6.4 cm of snowfall
- Gondhla and Jot: Approximately 3 cm each
- Kukumseri: About 1.5 cm of snowfall
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of continued unstable weather conditions due to an approaching western disturbance, expected to affect northwest India from the night of March 17. Its impact is likely to be experienced across Himachal Pradesh from March 18 to March 21.
An Orange Alert has been issued for March 18 and 19, during which thunderstorms, lightning, and hailstorms are expected in certain districts including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Sirmaur.
Safety Advisories and Ongoing Response
It is strongly advised that tourists and locals should not travel to high-altitude areas unless absolutely necessary. At the same time, police have been deployed in affected areas to manage traffic and assist any people who may still be stranded.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to monitor weather patterns and coordinate response efforts across the affected regions of Himachal Pradesh.
